Monday, December 29, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Holiday #3 at Mom & Dad's
Today was yet another family celebration, and again a lot of fun. We watched some old 8mm films from the late 50s through early 70s, and provided our own commentary, as there is no sound on the film. Chris had arranged to have them transferred to DVD for preservation and ease of showing. Good memories and good times!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Holiday at home
Christmas has come and gone, and our family get-together (21 people) was pleasant, and everyone seemed to have a good time. Maybe they were all too full to complain, with a large ham, standing rib roast, and home-made pasta with Bolognese sauce (thanks Jeff and Lisa!), potatoes, veggies, pickles, olives, cheeses, smoked salmon, wine, beer, soda, pies, cookies, candy, and more!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Who doesn't love "thunder snow"?
Didn't get out today after church / shopping / lunch. Stayed home and made candied orange peels, and started preparations for Christmas dinner at our house.
Nice weather!
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
410 PM EST SUN DEC 21 2008
INTERIOR YORK-INTERIOR CUMBERLAND-COASTAL YORK-COASTAL CUMBERLAND-SAGADAHOC-LINCOLN-KNOX-SOUTHERN CARROLL-MERRIMACK-BELKNAP-STRAFFORD-INTERIOR ROCKINGHAM-COASTAL ROCKINGHAM-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF... NORTH WINDHAM... GORHAM... BRIDGTON... BIDDEFORD... SACO... OLD ORCHARD BEACH... PORTLAND... SOUTH PORTLAND... WESTBROOK... BATH... TOPSHAM... WALDOBORO... BOOTHBAY HARBOR... WISCASSET... ROCKLAND... CAMDEN... THOMASTON... WOLFEBORO... CONCORD... LACONIA... TILTON-NORTHFIELD... MEREDITH... ROCHESTER... DOVER... DURHAM... DERRY... LONDONDERRY... EXETER... PORTSMOUTH... HAMPTON
410 PM EST SUN DEC 21 2008
...BANDS OF HEAVY SNOW AND THUNDER SNOW WILL CONTINUE THIS EVENING...
HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE EVENING HOURS ACROSS SOUTHERN MAINE AND SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE...ESPECIALLY ALONG AND NEAR THE COASTLINE. THERE MAY BE AREAS OF THUNDER SNOW BETWEEN 6 AND 8 PM ALONG AND NEAR THE COAST AS WELL. TEMPERATURES WILL BE MAINLY IN THE TEENS. NORTH WINDS WILL INCREASE...GUSTING TO AS HIGH AS 35 MPH AT TIMES...CAUSING BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.
Later:
715 PM EST SUN DEC 21 2008
...NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS PORTIONS OF MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE...
HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL AT A RATE OF AN INCH OR TWO PER HOUR ACROSS MUCH OF MAINE AS WELL AS CENTRAL AND NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE THROUGH 9 PM. THE VISIBILITY WILL BE NEAR ZERO AT TIMES. WINDS WILL GUST OVER 30 MPH FROM THE NORTH...BEFORE WINDS SWITCH TO THE WEST. THIS WILL CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE SNOW.
THE SNOW WILL BEGIN TO DIMINISH IN INTENSITY ACROSS SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND EXTREME SOUTHWEST MAINE BETWEEN 8 AND 10 PM. TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN IN THE TEENS.
TRAVEL WILL CONTINUE TO BE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS THROUGH LATE THIS EVENING.
Nice weather!
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
410 PM EST SUN DEC 21 2008
INTERIOR YORK-INTERIOR CUMBERLAND-COASTAL YORK-COASTAL CUMBERLAND-SAGADAHOC-LINCOLN-KNOX-SOUTHERN CARROLL-MERRIMACK-BELKNAP-STRAFFORD-INTERIOR ROCKINGHAM-COASTAL ROCKINGHAM-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF... NORTH WINDHAM... GORHAM... BRIDGTON... BIDDEFORD... SACO... OLD ORCHARD BEACH... PORTLAND... SOUTH PORTLAND... WESTBROOK... BATH... TOPSHAM... WALDOBORO... BOOTHBAY HARBOR... WISCASSET... ROCKLAND... CAMDEN... THOMASTON... WOLFEBORO... CONCORD... LACONIA... TILTON-NORTHFIELD... MEREDITH... ROCHESTER... DOVER... DURHAM... DERRY... LONDONDERRY... EXETER... PORTSMOUTH... HAMPTON
410 PM EST SUN DEC 21 2008
...BANDS OF HEAVY SNOW AND THUNDER SNOW WILL CONTINUE THIS EVENING...
HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE EVENING HOURS ACROSS SOUTHERN MAINE AND SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE...ESPECIALLY ALONG AND NEAR THE COASTLINE. THERE MAY BE AREAS OF THUNDER SNOW BETWEEN 6 AND 8 PM ALONG AND NEAR THE COAST AS WELL. TEMPERATURES WILL BE MAINLY IN THE TEENS. NORTH WINDS WILL INCREASE...GUSTING TO AS HIGH AS 35 MPH AT TIMES...CAUSING BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.
Later:
715 PM EST SUN DEC 21 2008
...NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS PORTIONS OF MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE...
HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL AT A RATE OF AN INCH OR TWO PER HOUR ACROSS MUCH OF MAINE AS WELL AS CENTRAL AND NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE THROUGH 9 PM. THE VISIBILITY WILL BE NEAR ZERO AT TIMES. WINDS WILL GUST OVER 30 MPH FROM THE NORTH...BEFORE WINDS SWITCH TO THE WEST. THIS WILL CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE SNOW.
THE SNOW WILL BEGIN TO DIMINISH IN INTENSITY ACROSS SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND EXTREME SOUTHWEST MAINE BETWEEN 8 AND 10 PM. TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN IN THE TEENS.
TRAVEL WILL CONTINUE TO BE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS THROUGH LATE THIS EVENING.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
New England weather continues
Yesterday and last night's snow added up to almost 12 inches, but it was very light and easily removed. Tomorrow's doesn't sound as though that will be the case - it may even end as rain or ice. I don't think we want ice!
I was able to go cross-country skiing this morning. The number of downed trees and branches in the woods is quite high. Trails required numerous short detours, and the day is rather cold, but it still beats sitting home. Not sure if I will be able to get out in tomorrow's storm to ski again, but I have Monday off...
I was able to go cross-country skiing this morning. The number of downed trees and branches in the woods is quite high. Trails required numerous short detours, and the day is rather cold, but it still beats sitting home. Not sure if I will be able to get out in tomorrow's storm to ski again, but I have Monday off...
Friday, December 19, 2008
It's still officially fall, but looks like winter!
I had the day off from work and did some shopping to help the economy. There was plenty of traffic on the roads and people in the stores. If everyone is buying, we are in good shape in our area.
The snow didn't start until almost 3 PM vs. the noon forecast, but it's definitely snowing hard, temperature in the low teens, and quite windy. With another snow storm expected Sunday night, we should have our first white Christmas in several years. And since I have Monday off I won't stress too much about cleaning up early in the morning.
The snow didn't start until almost 3 PM vs. the noon forecast, but it's definitely snowing hard, temperature in the low teens, and quite windy. With another snow storm expected Sunday night, we should have our first white Christmas in several years. And since I have Monday off I won't stress too much about cleaning up early in the morning.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Still recovering, with snow today
Just to prove it's winter, Mother Nature decided to add to people's burdens by sending in 2-3 inches of snow. Obviously it's easier to deal with when we have power, but it's not especially welcomed. The forecast includes potential for substantial snow Friday into Saturday, and then again on Sunday. A white Christmas is pretty much assured at this point!
Tens of thousands of customers (not "people") are still without power in NH and ME, many or even most of them within about a 25 mile radius. We are grateful for our return to civilization on Monday.
Tens of thousands of customers (not "people") are still without power in NH and ME, many or even most of them within about a 25 mile radius. We are grateful for our return to civilization on Monday.
Monday, December 15, 2008
We have power!
At 1:30 PM today (Monday) our power came back on. A truck came by the house (I was told) that took care of the branches and trees that had fallen Friday, followed soon by two more trucks from out of state (not sure where they came from, but thanks!!!!). With all the problems I had seen since the storm, I didn't think there was a chance that we could get power before tomorrow at best, but at 1:30 PM today it was on!
A friend from work said that he got power at 2 AM today and a neighbor set off fireworks to celebrate. I think that was probably an appropriate response after the stress and (for many) loss that we endured.
Now that we don't need the generator, I have passed it on to a brother-in-law who is still without power (after he and his wife stopped by for showers), hoping that it will carry him through and reduce his dependency on his fireplace. He lives in a small street off a small street off our road, so it's hard to predict when he might get power back. A good sign was that a truck came around and cleared trees/branches from his neighborhood this morning, but no activity since then.
A friend from work said that he got power at 2 AM today and a neighbor set off fireworks to celebrate. I think that was probably an appropriate response after the stress and (for many) loss that we endured.
Now that we don't need the generator, I have passed it on to a brother-in-law who is still without power (after he and his wife stopped by for showers), hoping that it will carry him through and reduce his dependency on his fireplace. He lives in a small street off a small street off our road, so it's hard to predict when he might get power back. A good sign was that a truck came around and cleared trees/branches from his neighborhood this morning, but no activity since then.
Durham NH status of storm outages
To: Town of Durham Mailing List
Subject: Town of Durham: Power Outage Update - Monday - 12/15/08 - 10:00 a.m.
Dear Members of the Community,
As of 10:00 a.m. today, Monday, 12/15/08, the N.H. Office of Emergency Management reports widespread power outages across the state currently affecting approximately 165,600 customers combined with widespread debris and downed power lines causing road closures.
Durham Town Officials have placed calls to PSNH and are awaiting feedback at this time concerning areas of power restoration focus within the community. When this information becomes available, we will update the community via the list server and our Town website. We'll also distribute blue flyers downtown this afternoon with the latest information for residents who cannot access the internet.
This week's weather forecast is as follows:
Today (Monday, 12/15/08): A chance of showers after 7am. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Southwest wind between 8 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tonight: Showers likely, mainly before 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind between 7 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday: A chance of rain showers before 1pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 31 by 5pm. North wind between 6 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tuesday Night: Snow likely. Increasing clouds, with a low around 21. Light north wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 31. Northeast wind between 3 and 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 24. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday Night: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Friday: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
A Federal emergency declaration has been received for the State of New Hampshire for Federal financial assistance. The National Guard continues to distribute cots and water from the FEMA staging area at Pease.
The N.H. Department of Transportation reports 39 segments of state roads are still closed; 199 segments of local roads are still closed including 10 roadways which are either totally or partially obstructed by power lines in Durham as follows:
Bagdad/Canney
Davis Ave.
Dennison Rd. (by Middle School)
Ambler
Faculty Rd.
Dame Rd.
Durham Point Rd.
Meserve Rd.
Stevens Way
Willey Rd.
N.H. Electric COOP outages are down to 7,600 and are expected to be back on line by Monday.
Unitil reports 13,000 outages.
National Grid reports 7,000 outages.
PSNH is reporting a total of 138,000 customers still without power.
Phone service interruptions are largely awaiting power restoration - will usually follow by a day.
For assistance, contact the Durham Police Department at 868-2324. The Red Cross shelter at the Oyster River High School on Coe Drive is still in operation and will continue in place until no longer needed.
Subject: Town of Durham: Power Outage Update - Monday - 12/15/08 - 10:00 a.m.
Dear Members of the Community,
As of 10:00 a.m. today, Monday, 12/15/08, the N.H. Office of Emergency Management reports widespread power outages across the state currently affecting approximately 165,600 customers combined with widespread debris and downed power lines causing road closures.
Durham Town Officials have placed calls to PSNH and are awaiting feedback at this time concerning areas of power restoration focus within the community. When this information becomes available, we will update the community via the list server and our Town website. We'll also distribute blue flyers downtown this afternoon with the latest information for residents who cannot access the internet.
This week's weather forecast is as follows:
Today (Monday, 12/15/08): A chance of showers after 7am. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Southwest wind between 8 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tonight: Showers likely, mainly before 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind between 7 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday: A chance of rain showers before 1pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 31 by 5pm. North wind between 6 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tuesday Night: Snow likely. Increasing clouds, with a low around 21. Light north wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 31. Northeast wind between 3 and 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 24. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday Night: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Friday: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
A Federal emergency declaration has been received for the State of New Hampshire for Federal financial assistance. The National Guard continues to distribute cots and water from the FEMA staging area at Pease.
The N.H. Department of Transportation reports 39 segments of state roads are still closed; 199 segments of local roads are still closed including 10 roadways which are either totally or partially obstructed by power lines in Durham as follows:
Bagdad/Canney
Davis Ave.
Dennison Rd. (by Middle School)
Ambler
Faculty Rd.
Dame Rd.
Durham Point Rd.
Meserve Rd.
Stevens Way
Willey Rd.
N.H. Electric COOP outages are down to 7,600 and are expected to be back on line by Monday.
Unitil reports 13,000 outages.
National Grid reports 7,000 outages.
PSNH is reporting a total of 138,000 customers still without power.
Phone service interruptions are largely awaiting power restoration - will usually follow by a day.
For assistance, contact the Durham Police Department at 868-2324. The Red Cross shelter at the Oyster River High School on Coe Drive is still in operation and will continue in place until no longer needed.
Ice storm!
We had a horrible ice storm late Thursday into Friday, knocking out power to 320,000 customers of PSNH. That compares to 55,000 in the bad ice storm in 1998. We have been without power at home since around 3 AM Friday, and as I write this Monday morning, there is no sign of any activity on out street - a main state highway that one might think deserved some attention.
My manager at work sent a note Friday that contained a special message to me:
"Sounds like it's a mess on the roads this morning. All schools are closed. Work from home if you can or delay coming into the office until mid-day when things warm up a bit. MIKE - DO NOT RIDE YOUR BIKE IN TODAY! ; )" Such a reputation!
Thank goodness the generator is working, and that I had installed the Gen-Tran unit that allows us to have heat, hot water, refrigerator use, and main floor lighting. We are even able to watch VCR/DVD on the TV. It's an old one, so I'm not too worried about unclean power from the generator.
I bought the generator in 1995, and until last week had amassed a total of about 12 hours on the hour gauge. It's now around 40 (I don't run it all day, and not at all during the night). Slow payback for the investment, but it looks pretty good today!
My manager at work sent a note Friday that contained a special message to me:
"Sounds like it's a mess on the roads this morning. All schools are closed. Work from home if you can or delay coming into the office until mid-day when things warm up a bit. MIKE - DO NOT RIDE YOUR BIKE IN TODAY! ; )" Such a reputation!
Thank goodness the generator is working, and that I had installed the Gen-Tran unit that allows us to have heat, hot water, refrigerator use, and main floor lighting. We are even able to watch VCR/DVD on the TV. It's an old one, so I'm not too worried about unclean power from the generator.
I bought the generator in 1995, and until last week had amassed a total of about 12 hours on the hour gauge. It's now around 40 (I don't run it all day, and not at all during the night). Slow payback for the investment, but it looks pretty good today!
Saturday, the ice storm didn't stop an annual Christmas party at a home in York despite having no power on a cold night. Our host showed incredible courage and persistence by holding the party, which was (as usual) a magnificent time. We have time to catch up with friends, meet new people, eat great food, and sing carols.
Lack of power was not a substantial impediment to our enjoyment (even if we couldn't flush).
Thursday, December 11, 2008
No, I haven't quit yet
I just haven't prioritized this site, but probably should. Looking back over older posts I see that it stirs memories that my porous brain can't retain, and are actually interesting to me, at least.
We're experiencing the first real winter weather, other than a small amount of snow last Sunday. It's beginning to ice up in the area, with worse weather expected later tonight. I haven't ridden my bike to work all week, the first time since early April when I was taking some medication that advised against exertion. (Why doesn't the spelling of that word look right?).
Concerts for CCSB (http://www.ccsb-sing.org) last weekend, and working on SCC concerts in January.
More soon, I hope.
We're experiencing the first real winter weather, other than a small amount of snow last Sunday. It's beginning to ice up in the area, with worse weather expected later tonight. I haven't ridden my bike to work all week, the first time since early April when I was taking some medication that advised against exertion. (Why doesn't the spelling of that word look right?).
Concerts for CCSB (http://www.ccsb-sing.org) last weekend, and working on SCC concerts in January.
More soon, I hope.
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